Helen Matilda Andrus Davis 1843-1926

DAVIS, ANDRUS, DRULEY, SMITH, WEPLER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/25/2011 at 22:34:29

Mrs. W. H. Davis Passed Away Very Suddenly
Died at Her Home During Monday Night
Eighty-Five Years of Age
A Pioneer Resident of Estherville and Well Known to Many of Our Citizens
Another Estherville pioneer was called to answer the final summons Tuesday [March 30, 1926] morning when Mrs. W. H. Davis passed away at her home on east Pleasant street. Mrs. Davis had been in poor health for several years but was able to be up and around, attending to her household work and other duties. She went to bed as usual Monday evening and in the morning when she failed to get up at the usual time her husband went up to see if she was ill and discovered that she had passed away sometime during the night, the exact hour not being known. Helen Matilda Andrus was born in Illinois on January 11, 1841 [Cemetery records say 1844]. When just a small girl she moved with her parents to Decorah where she resided until coming to Estherville. On September 24, 1865, she was united in marriage with W. H. Davis and in 1869 they moved to Estherville to reside. They homesteaded for a year with Mr. Davis’ brother, Alfred, on a farm west of Estherville. In the spring of 1870 they moved into town and have spent the remainder of their years in this city. Last fall they celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. It was an informal celebration due to the recent death of their daughter, Mrs. Anna Smith. Mrs. Davis was a woman who was loved and admired by everyone who knew her. Coming here with her husband in the day when Estherville was in the making she worked hard and faithfully to help provide the best there was for her family. She was an ideal wife and mother and her home was her shrine. No task was too big for her or no job too trivial for her capable hands when it was being done for her husband or children. Nor were her deeds of love confined only to her immediate family. Anyone, young or old, rich or poor could find in Mrs. Davis a true friend and could confide their troubles and joys to her and know that she would either sympathize or rejoice with them. She was always ready to assist in the various activities of the church and Sunday school in a financial way as well as in other ways. Throughout the many years she lived on this earth her greatest work seemed to be spreading sunshine and gladness where it was most needed. She will be greatly missed by her many friends. Her cheery smile and glad word will no longer be heard in this world but her spirit of cheerfulness and happiness will continue to spread itself. She is survived by her aged husband and three children, Ella (Mrs. L. L. Druley,) of Prescott, Wis., G. W. Davis of Motley, Minn., and R. W. Davis of Kansas City, Mo. Two children, Frank and Anna (Mrs. John Smith) have preceded her in death. One sister, Mrs. A. Wepler, of Mason City, ten grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral arrangements have not been made. The sympathy of friends is extended the bereaved relatives in their hours of sorrow and grief. They have great comfort in knowing that their dear one has lived such a life that her existence in the hereafter will be one of joy and blessedness. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, March 31, 1926)

Mrs. W. H. Davis
Mrs. W. H. Davis, one of the pioneer women of Estherville, wife of W. H. Davis, a pioneer business man of this city, passed away at her home on north Eighth street on last Tuesday morning.

Mrs. Davis had had some trouble with her heart but on the evening before her death she retired apparently feeling well. In the morning Mr. Davis arose and started the fire. He went into an adjoining room to call his wife only to find she had passed away sometime during the morning hours. Indications were that her heart action had simply stopped and her life passed to that great beyond in the quiet way she had lived during her life time.

Mrs. Helen Matilda Davis was born January 11, 1843, at Roscoe, Ill. During her girlhood she resided in Decorah where she was united in marriage to Wm. H. Davis on September 25, 1865. Soon after their marriage they moved to this city and resided for a time on the West Side of the river near school section creek. In the early pioneer days Mr. Davis started a shoe shop here and in later years owned and operated the Davis shoe store afterwards purchased by G. H. Raife. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Davis have resided where their present home is located.

There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis but at this time only three of these survive them. Mrs. L. L. Druley, Wm. Davis and Ralph Davis, another daughter, Mrs. John G. Smith, only passed away a few months ago.

The funeral services will be held from the home on Thursday afternoon at two thirty according to arrangements at this writing. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, March 31, 1926)